A bona fide ‘cult’ classic, Afro-Harping is the first of a rarefied and outstanding trilogy of soul-jazz albums by Dorothy Ashby, produced for Cadet Records (Chess) by Richard Evans between 1968 and 1970. Remastered from the original ¼ inch tapes by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios, Afro-Harping is filled front-to-back with sumptuous and hypnotic grooves. Its African percussion, soulful orchestrations, in-the-pocket rhythms, and Dorothy’s virtuosity elevate it far beyond jazzy mood music, making it a favorite among beatmakers and producers. The album has been sampled by legendary artists including Pete Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Dee (aka J Dilla), Madlib, and Flying Lotus.

• Artist: Dorothy Ashby
• Label: Cadet Records (Chess)
• Producer: Richard Evans
• Genre: Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Boogaloo

This deluxe edition features eight bonus tracks sourced from surviving four-track session reels—alternate takes that are often considered superior to the original album versions. Highlights include an explosive rendition of the single ‘Soul Vibrations’, extended versions of the title track and ‘Little Sunflower’, and two jazzy interpretations of ‘Theme from Valley of the Dolls’. The session reels also preserve rare in-studio atmosphere: laughter, encouragement, a brief burst of beatboxing, and a lighthearted disagreement over bar counts—left intact to immerse listeners in the creative energy of Dorothy Ashby and Chicago’s finest musicians during the winter of 1968.

• Edition: Deluxe Edition
• Audio: Remastered

• Media: Audio CD
• Bonus: 8 alternate takes and session outtakes